Vehicle direction signal



June 11, 1935.I A. A. MARTINEZ VEHICLE DIRECTION SIGNAL Filed Feb. 4, 1950 2 Sheets-Sheet l VEN TOR. dawn/0 A MBU/yf:

A TTORNE Y June11,1935. f AAMARTINEZ 2,004,289

VEHICLE DIRECTION SIGNAL Fi'ledreb. 4, 195o 2 Shets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. 46045@ 4. MHV/V47 TTORNEY Patented Jne 11, 1935 UNITED STATES' PATENT OFFICE 2 Claims.

My invention relates to vehicle direction sign'als, and the objects of my invention are:

First, to provide an automobile direction signal which is visible from both the front and 'rear of the car;

Second, to provide a motor operated automobile direction signal which may be selectively controlled from the steering Wheel;

Third, to provide a motor operated signal which automatically stops at the desired indicating position when operated;

Fourth, to provide a motor operated signal including means for causing the signal to assume the neutral position by the force of grav- Fifth, to provide a motor driven signal which is operable bymanual control on' failure of the motor to operate it;

Sixth, to provide a motor driving mechanism for a signal which automatically locks` the signal in position after moving it to the desired position;

Seventh, to provide a mechanism which serves as a lock for the signal when the signal is operated by hand;

Eighth, to provide a releasing mechanism for allowing the signal to regain the neutral position; I

Ninth, to provide an illuminable signal hav- ?,o in'g distinguishing colors for respective positions to which it is moved and means for selectively connecting said illuminable means;

Tenth, to provide a signal having neon gas tubes forming arrows supported in' a manner to prevent accidental breaking and permitting visibility from front and rear; and,

Eleventh, to provide a signal which is readily securable to an automobile, and which is efflcient in' its action, easy to manipulate, and which will not readilydeteriorate or get out of order. K f

With these and other objects in view as will appear hereinafter, my invention consists of certain novel features ,of construction, combination and arrangement of parts and portions as will be hereinafter described in detail and particularly set forth4 in the appended claims,

` reference being had to the accompanying drawings and to the characters of reference thereon, .which form a part of this application', in which: Figure 1 is'a substantially diagrammatical view of my signal and the operating mechanism and electrical connections associated therewith; Fig. 2 is a typical cross sectional View of the `-signal arm, indicating the manner in which the neon tubes are supported thereon; Fig. 3 is a fragmentary plan view-of a car, `showing the signal mounted thereon; Fig. 4 is a. fragmentary transverse sectional view 'of a car with the signal mounted thereon, and indicating the posi- 5 tion of the therewith related driving mechanism; Fig. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary view of the clutch mechanism; and Fig. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary view of the manually operable mechanism for controlling the signal.

The motor I, worm 2, worm wheel 3, shaft 4. bearings 5 and 6, clutch 1, shaft 8, bevel pinion 9, bevel gear I0, signal arm shaft II, contact segments I2, I3 and I4, contact brushes I5, I6, I1, I8 and I9, signal arm 20, tubes 2| and 22, 15 brackets 23, cushions 24, push buttons 25 and 26, collector rings 21, 28 and 29, contacts 30 to 36, inclusive, pinions 31, gear 38, bearing 39, shaft 40, casing 4i, rod 42, housing 43, rocker 44, shaft 45, and rod 46 form the principal parts 20 and portions of my novel automobile signal.

Referring now to Fig. 1 of the drawings, a direct current' motor`I of conventional structure is connected at its one terminal Ia by A means of a conductor 41 with the ungrounded 25 terminal of the vehicle battery B, the other terminal of which is grounded in the usual manner to the frame of the vehicle. 'I'he second terminal Ib of the motor is connected by means of a conductor 48 to a collector ring 21 for a 30 purpose hereinafter more fully set forth.

A worm 2 is provided on the motor shaft Ic, and is adapted to drive a worm wheel 3 suitably mounted on a shaft 4 journalled in a beary ing 5. On a portion 4b of the shaft 4 is mounted 35 a sliding clutch member 1, which is adapted to engage a second clutch member 49 rigidly secured to a second shaft 8, mounted in axial alinement with the shaft 4. The clutch members 1 and 49 are preferably of the `claw type, 40 having serrated interlocking faces 'la and 49a, whereby rotary movement may be imparted to the shaft 8 on rotation of shaft 4.

The coupling member 49 is bored axially to receive the outer end portion 4a of shaft 4 while 45 the portion 4b thereof on which the clutch 1 is mounted is provided with axially extending key members 4c, which may be in the form of integral splines, the clutch 1 being provided with,

corresponding longitudinally extending slots into 50 which the key members 4b extend.

The shaft 8 is suitably mounted ina bearing 6 by means -of which yit is held in accurate alinement with shaft 4. yAt the end of the shaft 8 opposite to that on which the clutch member 5.5

49 is mounted is provided a bevel gear 9, which is adapted to engage the segmental bevel gear III mounted on a shaft II extending at right angles to the shaft 8. The segmental gear I0 is preferably formed on the marginal portions of a circular plate Ia which is rigidly mounted on the shaft II.

On the upper face of plate Illa is secured a segmental insulating plate Ib mounted concentric With the axis of shaft II. To said insulating plate are secured the contact segments I2, I 3 and I4 in spaced, offset relation, as kclearly shown in Fig. l.V Segment I2 extends over an arc of slightly less than 145 degrees andhas a step |2a at a point slightly less than 90 degrees from its one end, forming a reduced end portion I2b. Segment I3 is positioned inwardly of segment I2 adjacent the wide portion thereof, while segment I4 is positioned inwardly o1' the portion I2b being also inwardly offset relative to segment I3.

Mounted on a suitable stationary support, not shown, are the contacting brushes I5, I6, I1, I8 and I9, shown diagrammatically in Fig. 1 on a line substantially radial to the axis of the plate I0a.

From the plate Illa, forming preferably an integral part thereof, extends the signal arm 2|),

having an arrow head shaped end portion 2I|c.

The vertical position shown in Fig. l corresponds to the neutral position of the signal, and it should be noted that the contact brushes are then at the extreme end of the contact segments.

As illustrated in Fig. 2, a substantially U- shaped channel portion 20a is formed along the margin of the arm 20, and a corresponding bent U-shaped channel member 20h is supported degrees.

thereon in parallel spaced relation by means of the brackets 23, which are bolted or otherwise secured to the arm 20. Intermediate the channel portions 20a. and 20h are mounted a `pair of illuminable gas tubes, 2| and 22, such as neon tubes, formed to represent the outline of an arrow.

The tube 22 fits closely within the` tube 2| when mounted in position.

Between the tubes and on their outerl sides are provided cushion members 24, preferably of some soft, resilient substance such as rubber. These members are held in position by means of the channel member portion 20a and channel member 2Gb, and brackets 23, as clearly illustrated in Fig. 2.

'I'he end terminals 2Ia and 22a of the tubes 2| and v22 respectively, are grounded by means of a conductor 58, while the terminals 2lb and 22b are connected, respectively, with the segments I4 and I3. The brush members I5 and I6 which are adapted to engage the segments I4 and I3, respectively, are connected with the one terminal of a high tension transformer T, which is adapted to be supplied by means of a suitable electric current from a source of supply S.

Referring now to the contact segments, it will be noted that the segment I3 extends substantially over an 'arc of ninety degrees, while segment I4 extends in oset relation to a continuation of said arc for a further forty-five Thus when the arm 28 is swung upwardly, contact brush I6 engages segment I3 during a movement up to an angle of ninety degrees from the vertical, while a further movement will cause brush I6 to become disengaged and brush I5 to engage segment I4 and remain in contact therewith until the arm has reached an angle of forty-live degrees above the horizontal, that is, a total movement of substantially one hundred and thirty-five degrees.

The large segment I2 which is adapted to be engagedby brushes I1, I8 and I9, is formed so as to engage all three brushes over a movement of slightly less than ninetyI degrees, While over a further movement of slightly less than forty-five degrees, brushes I1 and I8 retain contact with the stepped portion I2b while brush I9 breaks contact, with the segment.

, It will be noted further that when the arm occupies the vertically downwardly extending position, the brush I6, as Well as brush I5, rests on the insulation Ica, while brushes I1, I8, and I9 remain in contact with segment I2. Brush I8 is connected by means of a conductor 52 to a collector ring 29, while brush I9 is connected by means of conductor 5I to the collector ring 21. It will be here noted that these collector rings are suitably mounted on a plate positioned on the steering Wheel of the yehicle, `and while they are shown as concentric rings, it is obvious that they may be formed of rings of equal diameter and lpositioned on a-drum surrounding the steering column and movable therewith.

On opposite sides -of the steering wheelrim is mounted a pair of push button switches 25 and 26, which are connected, respectively, to

-rings 29 and 21, in the case of switch 25, and

rings 28 and 21 in the case of switch 26, said connection being made by suitable stationary contact members 30, 3|, 32 and 33.

The conductors 48, 5| and 52 are likewise connected by means of suitable contact members 34, 35 and 36, with the rings.

Brush I1 is grounded, thereby permanently grounding segment I2.

The circuits by means of which the motor is operated can now be described.

Closing, 'forexampla switch 25 will cause current to iiow from the battery to the motor by way of conductor 41, and from the motor by conductor 48 and contacts 34 to ri s 21, thence through switch 25 to rings 29, th by way of contact member 36 to conductor 52, and brush I8, to segment I2; thence to brush I1, and back to ground, thus closing the motor circuit. The motor will then rotate and cause the arm 20 to be moved upwardly, this movement continuing until the brush I9 leaves the segment at the stepped portion I2a. This causes the circuit to the motor to be interrupted and the arm 2|.'l will have reached a substantially horizontal position.

As soon as the disk Illa rotates, the brush I6 completes the contact with segment I3 and as segment I3 is connected to tube 22, while brush I1 is connected to the transformer T, tube 22 will be illuminated, and will remain illuminated after the arm has reached the horizontal position, and the motor is disconnected, since the segment I3 extends slightly beyond the stepped portion I2a of segment I2, and brush I6 remains in contact with the segment I3. When brought to this position, the arm 20 indicates that the vehicle is about to be turned to the left, and this feature is emphasized by using for the tube 22 one giving a redlight, the signal thus becoming very conspicuous at night time, and owing to, the structure of the signal arm the tube 22 is visible fron both front and rear.

When it is desired to make' a right hand turn, f

the push button 26 is actuated. This causes a circuit through the motor by way of the conductor 5I, and brush I9, causing upward movement of the arm to continue until the brush I8 passes over the extreme end of the segment portion I2b in which position the arm will extend at an angle substantially forty-five degrees above the horizontal.

During the first ninety degrees of the upward movement, brush I'I will be in engagement with segment I3, and the inner tube 22 will be il uminated. From this point on brush I1 will ve segment I3 while brush I6 comes into Vengagement with segment I4. i

The brush I6 will remain in contact with segment I4 after the arm reaches its uppermost position, and tubes 2i will be illuminated until such time as the arm 20 is lowered.

In order to more clearly distinguish the signals at night time, I prefer to use atube 2i giving a different color light than that given by tube 22, such as a green or blue light.

'I'he manner in which the arm 20 is held in its extended position after the motor has become disconnected, and the manner in which it is lowered, will ynow be explained.

Since the worm 2 used in connection with the mechanism is a single thread worm, the friction is sufficient to cause the mechanism to bind when operated from the signal end thereof. Thus, the tendency of the signal arm 20 to rotate the shafts 8 and 4 respectively, in the opposite direction, due to the force of gravity, is effectively prevented by the binding action of theworm wheel 3 against the worm 2, and the arm 20 will remain indefinitely in the position to which it has been moved until such time as the clutch member 'I is withdrawn from the clutch member 49. Provision for this action is made by connecting a suitable `actuating member 44, which is pivotally supported on a bearing 45, with the vclutch member 1. The latter is provided with an annular groove 'Ic in which a yoke member 44a is adapted to be positioned, said yoke member being pivotally connected with the rocker 44 by means of the pin 44h extending outwardly from the yoke member. The rocker 44 is provided with an arm 44'c, to. which is pivotally connected an actuating rod 46, which may be foot operated by means of a suitable pedal not shown, .or in any other manner, so as to cause the rocker 44 to be swung around the shaft 45, whereby the clutch member 49 is disengaged from clutch member 'I. This permits the arm 20 to fall down to its lowest position, after which the force on the rocker 44 may be withdrawn. Clutch 1 then moves into engagement with clutch 49 bythe action of spring 1b. The latter, as may be clearly seen in Fig. 1, bears against clutch member 1 and bearing 5, suitable bushings being provided for receiving the end convolutions of the spring.

In the event of the failure of the motor to operate properly, I provide a hand operated mechanism for actuating the signal arm. This mechanism comprises -a gear member l1;

mounted on the shaft 9 preferably adjacent the clutch member 49, and in mesh with a second gear 38 mounted on a suitably supported shaft 40. A lever 40a is mounted on said shaft, and is connectedl by means of a rod 42, the other end of which is provided with a knob 42a or any otherl suitable grip means and placed in a position readily grasped by the'hand of the driver. The rod 42 is provided with a pair of spaced apart indents 42h and 42c, corresponding'to the two operating positions .of the signal arm. A suitable resilient catch 42d is provided on the casing 4I which encloses the gears 3l and 38. The catch 42d enters the indents 42h and 42o and thereby indicates the proper position of the signal arm.

When using the manual operated means for moving the signal arm, it is necessary at the same time to disengage the clutch members, while by reengaging them the arm will be held. in the signalling position until such time as the clutches Vare again disengaged.

It is thus obvious-that the worm and gear form the necessary locking` means for retaining the arm in its proper position' Whether operated manually or by means of the motor.

Though I have shown Aand described a particular construction, combination and arrangeme'nt of parts and portions, .I do not wish to be limited to this particular construction, combination and arrangement, but desire to include in thef scope of my invention the construction, combination and arrangement substantially as` set forth in the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is: v

1. In a signalI arm operating mechanism, a motor, electric connections therefor, a shaft, worm and gear means connecting said motor to said shaft, a second shaft, clutch means connecting said shafts, a' pivotally 'mounted signal arm, means connecting said second shaft to said signal arm, electric contacting means controlled by movement of said arm for initially making and subsequently breaking the electric l connections of said motor on predete ed movementof said signal, said worm and gear forming a `frictional retaining means for holding necting said shafts, apivotally mounted signal arm means connecting said second shaft to said signal arm, electric contacting means controlled by movement of said arm for initially making and subsequently breaking the electrical connections of said motor on predetermined movement of said signal, said worm and gear means forming a frictional retaining means for holding said arm in adjusted position.

ARCADIO A. MARTINEZ. 

